miller's-thumb

[mil-erz-thuhm]

noun

1. any of several small, freshwater sculpins of the genus Cottus, of Europe and North America.

miller's thumb

noun

1. any of several small freshwater European fishes of the genus Cottus, esp C. gobio, having a flattened body: family Cottidae (bullheads, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of miller's-thumb¹

1400–50; late Middle English milneres thume; the fish is so called from its thumblike head

Word History and Origins

Origin of miller's-thumb¹

C15: from the alleged likeness of the fish's head to a thumb

Example Sentences

Mill′er's-thumb, a small fresh-water fish with a large, broad, and rounded head like a miller's thumb, the river bull-head.

From Project Gutenberg

Once when swimming he was bitten on the knee by a horrible fish called on the shores of the Atlantic the miller’s thumb.

From Project Gutenberg

Bull′-head, or Miller's Thumb, a small river fish remarkable for its large, flat head.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

The blob or miller's thumb existed in the Gibbon river, and perhaps in other streams, above the falls.

From Project Gutenberg

And for all the concern about filling out the roster beyond the cap-clogging contracts of Wade, James and Bosh, the Heat certainly have competent backup pieces, even though Mike Miller's thumb injury is a significant setback.

From Newsweek